The 46-year-old arrives as Spurs' third manager of the season, replacing Igor Tudor, who departed by mutual consent following a short interim spell. With only seven matches remaining, De Zerbi is tasked with steering the north London side away from what would be their first relegation from the top flight since 1977.
Tottenham sit 17th in the table, just one point clear of the bottom three after a dismal run of form that has seen them fail to register a league win in 2026. Their struggles have left them facing the very real prospect of one of the most dramatic relegations in Premier League history.
Despite the immediate danger, the club have made a long-term commitment to De Zerbi, handing him a five-year deal that notably does not include a relegation release clause. The decision underlines Spurs' belief in the Italian's philosophy and their intention to build a new era around his methods, regardless of the outcome this season.
Sporting director Johan Lange confirmed that De Zerbi had been the club's primary target for the summer, but circumstances accelerated the move.
"Roberto was our number one target and we are very pleased to bring him in now," Lange said. "He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football and brings a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League."
De Zerbi initially showed hesitation about taking charge before the end of the campaign, having left Marseille earlier this year and indicated a preference to wait until the off-season. However, he was ultimately convinced to step in immediately with Spurs in urgent need of direction.
In his first comments, De Zerbi emphasised both the scale of the club and the challenge ahead.
"I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world," he said. "In all my discussions with the club's leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear - to build a team capable of reaching great achievements while playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.
"Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table. That will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season."
De Zerbi built his reputation during an impressive spell at Brighton, where he guided the club to a sixth-place finish and their first-ever qualification for European competition. He later moved to Marseille, leading the French side to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 before departing in February.
Known for his progressive, possession-based approach and high-intensity pressing game, De Zerbi has earned widespread admiration within the coaching fraternity, including praise from Pep Guardiola, who previously described his tactical systems as "unique".
His immediate challenge, however, is far more pragmatic - finding enough points from a difficult run-in to ensure survival. Spurs' remaining fixtures include trips to Sunderland, Wolves, Aston Villa and Chelsea, alongside home matches against Brighton, Leeds and Everton.
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